Round 10 Race Classification
| POS | NO | DRIVER | NAT | ENTRANT | LAPS | TIME | BEST LAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | Karun Chandhok | IND | Team E-Rain | 20 | 30:24.901 | 1:30.655 |
| 2 | 42 | Matt Halliday | NZL | Team Meritus | 20 | 30.25.289 | 1:30.733 |
| 3 | 85 | Hanss Lin | TPE | Team E-Rain | 20 | 30:37.509 | 1:31.175 |
Zhuhai, China, October 22, 2006 – Determination and great teamwork finally paid off as Marchy Lee and QI Meritus snatched second place in today’s Grand Final – fittingly on the last race of the Formula V6 Asian by Renault series at Zhuhai International Circuit.
Lee left his best for last to take a totally deserved podium place for the first time at the meeting, finishing behind Meritus teammate, Matt Halliday of New Zealand. Third was 16-year-old Hong Kong teenager Adderly Fong.
The QI-backed Hong Kong ace repaid the faith put in him to finish on a high what was a bittersweet experience on the 4.3-kilometre circuit in this southern Chinese city. The 30-year-old champion racer always knew he would be a success despite a week plagued by technical hitches, and he proved it yet again with another brilliant drive.
“It’s a great feeling to finish on the podium, especially in my last race here this weekend,’’ said Lee, who started the Grand Final from fifth on the grid. “I always knew at the back of my mind that we would find success here and now we have done it!’’
“I have to thank my sponsors QI as without their help, I wouldn’t be here today,’’ Lee continued. “I have to thank my team, Meritus, for bringing me here too and for doing such a tremendous job.’’
Lee said he was relieved that his team was able to overcome all the electronic problems that had dogged them for the past two days.
“We suffered with the electronics problem [gearbox], but once we got that to work, it was great. The team did a really good job. Matt didn’t make any mistakes and we had a good race. I tried to push for the win, but he was too good.’’
QI Meritus principal Peter Thompson was delighted with Lee’s success, saying he never lost faith in his famous charge: “It was never Marchy’s problem with all the setbacks we suffered with the car. He was fastest in qualifying. We finally got rid of the problem when we discovered that it all came down to the fuse-board tripping,’’ said Thompson.
Lee started fifth on the grid for the Grand Race, but swiftly moved into second place after V6 series winner Karun Chandhok’s car broke down after the first four corners. The QI Meritus driver finished 2.931 seconds behind Halliday – but was 12.433 seconds clear of third-placed Fong. And yet again, Lee posted the fastest lap (1:30.939) which he accomplished on lap 10.
Earlier, Lee had shown his undeniable talent in the Super Sprint over 12 laps when he overcame a horrendous start to gradually work his way up the field and finish fifth.
Starting third from the grid, Lee encountered trouble when he touched wheels with American Timothy Barber moments after the start. Lee’s car dropped right back to eighth place but his brilliant driving skills came to the fore once again.
Lee quickly made amends for the earlier mishap, passing three cars in almost a flash to challenge Taiwanese driver, Hanss Lin Po-Heng for fourth position.
Lin was some six seconds in front but time ran out for the Lee, just when he was making extraordinary progress. However, Lee was delighted with his drive despite his early misfortune. In Friday’s qualifying, Lee’s car was troubled by a mysterious vibration problem and he was again hampered on Saturday by a faulty electronic gearbox.
“I’m pretty well pleased that everything is working well and all systems are go now. We don’t have any more technical problems so I can fully concentrate on the race now!’’ said Lee.
“I had a good start in the Super Sprint but as I was fighting for the lead, Matt [Halliday] didn’t see me and cut me off and I had to brake hard. Another car came in and shunted me and I lost control of the car. Fortunately, I was able to work my way up the grid and I passed two or three cars without too many problems,’’ he said.
India’s Karun Chandhok took the chequered flag in the race to wrap up the overall series, but Lee felt he could have finished on the podium in the first race of the day with better luck.
Lee did have better luck – and a great race to complete a fantastic week for QI Meritus and Hong Kong’s most celebrated single-seat driver.
